Parigi: so happy to see you are still on the board. We will be in Paris in October --celebrating a VERY special birthday. You are 'queen' to me (since Frenchie) and your input is sought here. Don't want to blow my retirement -- do you have one or two suggestions for our celebration? Many thanks -- and that drink offer stands.

We ate at many restaurants on this trip--Spring, Le Clos de Gourmets, Le Comptoir, Florimond,Cafe Flor, L'Ardoise and every one of them was packed. Le Comptoir had a waiting line outside that was about an hour + long. In that windstorm of activity, their dynamo server came over to us a couple of times to say she'd be right with us. We live in NYC and I rarely cook any more, so dining out is most of what we do. For me to enjoy myself, almost more important than the food is the attitude of the front of the house in seeing we are nicely greeted, seated, in NY water is put on the table automatically and a server either offers you bread of brings around a tray with thebread/rolls. Neither is better than the other and in another country we respect the methods, butto be forgotten at your table is unacceptable to me, in any country.

We just returned from our trip to Paris and Venice and have learned a great deal about what works for us and what just doesn't. For me, walking into a restaurant in a foreign city and being made to feel like an honored guest scores big points. Frenchie scored, but not at the top. No matter how small the place, someone has to recognize that there is a customer or 2 at my table, even if it's with an apology for not being able to give me a drink. Frenchie didn't score at all. We sat there for too long without anyone tending to our table, Then the food came--it was really fresh and delicious and I was sitting within sight of the chef and he was concerned that it was good. Frenchie scored--big time, in every dish and and in all 3 courses. We went with anticipation of a good meal and left fed, I don't kinow it is all the time, but I know what is was that night and I know what would have made the meal stellar, but Frenchie isn't that kind of place. If you want great food, and don't care aboutrushed service or having requests go unmet (like a bit of ice for my water), Frenchie will satisfy you,.This is a tiny restaurant with only one server and a bar tender/server. They serve delicious food, the chef really wants everyone to enjoy what he prepares and that was the reason we left satisfied,

Please suggest a place for dinner the day we get to Paris and a place for lunch the day we leave

for Venice (where we will.probably not have time to eat--late arrival)

I am open to all suggestions. We are foodies from New York, have done many of the 'biggies' in Paris and have felt at home in every one of them. We speak virtually no French, yet have never been treated badly at anyplace we've been. It's what we are looking for this time too. We're staying in the 7th but will travel for something special.

Thank you so much. We made a res. at Aux Armes de Bruxelles for dinner but we are still open and can change if we find something better. We will go to Grand Place and are in the market for some great chocolates. Mobility is a bit of an issue so we'll be using cabs or the hop on/off bus to see the sites. Any more suggestions are welcome.

Thanks so much. I forget there's a hop on/off bus in most cities. Will do that for sure.We have res. at Aux Armes de Bruxelles for dinner. I heard they had a good mussel selection. The waffles sound great for lunch.

Thanks for the down to earth review. We too have 'eaten it all' and are just wanting a good meal, nicely served, not necessarily over contrived. It sounds like Frenchie is exactly what we're looking for and already have reservations for October.

I should have been more specific, but it's hard to say which ones were most appealing. We've been to so many. I guess I should have asked about newer places. We enjoyed L'Epi Dupin, L'Ardoise,L'Ami Jean, Cafe Bert....something newer and wonderful is what I'm really looking for. The one that really caught my eye is the Hidden Kitchen and we'll try for that.

Hi: Regarding dinner on the Eiffel Tower--go for it. If you do, ask for a window facing west. The sunset over Paris, sitting atop the Eiffel is something I will never forget. The food was delicious, service impeccable and yes, it was expensive, but once in a lifetime experiences are worth every penny.

You cannot go wrong at Taillevant or Lasserre. I know there are different places but we have found these to be the best as far as quality and level of service. Taillevant's service was so finnessed that --we felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant (and we certainly weren't). No request was too much, not that there were many to make. It isn't cheap, but you said 'blow out' so this would be my first choice. My other first choice would be at Lasserre. They require jackets, we were traveling light and they assured me there was a jacket waiting for my husband. What was waiting was a cashmere sport jacket that fit him as if it were customed. The elevator ride upstairs was fun but the first sight of the hundreds of orchids and the gorgeous dining room was breathtaking.Chairs are comfortable and they had to be, as the meal was long and luxurious. Nothing was rushed, just a few hours of pure, indulgence in great food and wine and chocolate.A live pianist entertains and as a little added touch, when you hear rumbling from the ceiling, just look up--it's the roof parting, opening up to a seasonal floral display and the magnificent Paris night sky. Enjoy!btw....they take reservations on line.

This being your honeymoon, I highly recommend Lasserre. The food is exquisite, the surroundings are elegant, service is old world, right there yet not 'in your face.' The restaurant has a live pianist during dinner and several times during service you hear a rumble coming from the ceiling and slowly, the ceiling comes apart, revealing a gorgeous floral/seasonal arrangement and the night sky as the roof opens.

Also,l the second floor of the Eiffel Tower is where the food is going on. The lower level is noisy.The food is delicious and the view of Paris at night is magnificent. We made our reservations months in advance and asked for a seat facing West. At the proper time the shades were raised so diners could watch the sunset. If that isn't romantic, I don't know what is! Congratulations on your wedding.

we ate at Jules Verne 2 years ago. the food was wonderful but the ambience can't be matched anywhere. as requested, we were seated at the window, facing west. The view of Paris was magic....the sunset is forever etched in my mind. just going right up to the elevator and skipping that LONG, LONG line was amazing but when we got out of the elevator and truly realized where we were.......it was indescribable. It's pricey but you will never forget it.